Roberson elects to declare for NBA Draft

Former Wagner standout and Colorado All-Pac 12 forward Andre Roberson declared for the NBA Draft today, according to the school’s official website.

Roberson, a 6-7 forward, was named as his conference’s defensive player of the year. He also finished second nationally in rebounds, leading the nation until late in the season when he was hampered by an illness.

His decision originally was expected to be made at a Friday press conference on the Colorado campus. But Roberson and his family decided to cancel that gathering as he mulled his decision.

Roberson was extremely close with Colorado coach Tad Boyle, who made him his first recruit when he arrived at the school in 2010. He had blossomed into one of the nation’s most underrated players, although his offensive game never matched his ample rebounding and defensive talents.

“We support Andre and want what’s best for him and his family,” Boyle said Sunday afternoon. “We wish him the best.”

Roberson averaged 10.9 points and 11.2 rebounds for the 21-12 Buffs, who advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before they were beaten by Illinois in Austin. Roberson shot 48.6 percent from the field and 55.1 percent of his foul shots and led the team with 74 turnovers. He also paced Colorado with 41 blocked shots and 67 steals.

But the decision is a little surprising because most NBA scouts are doubtful that he will not be picked in the first round. His most recent positioning in some of the major mock drafts included 54th in ESPN.com and CBSSports.com, and 57th in DraftExpress.com and HoopsWorld.com. If those projections hold true, Roberson will likely picked late in the second round.

CUBuffs.com, the school’s official web site, reported that Boyle and Colorado athletic director Mike Bohn flew to San Antonio over the weekend to meet with Roberson and his family. His younger sister, Arielle, is a standout sophomore forward for the Buffs’ women’s team.

Boyle said he applied to the NBA’s Undergraduate Advisory Committee for a frank evaluation of Roberson’s draft status.

The committee is composed of NBA general managers and other team officials who carefully scout college games and players.

Two years ago, the committee projected Colorado gaurd Alec Burks to be a mid-first round selection if not a potential lottery pick. He was chosen 12th overall by Utah and signed a three-year rookie contract with the Jazz worth $6.3 million.

Boyle said that Burks and Roberson were evaluated differently, saying that Roberson’s decision was riskier than Burks.

Roberson had until 1o:59 p.m. CDT to declare himself for the draft, which will be conducted on June 27.

He will be aiming to become the third San Antonio high-school player to be drafted in the first round and the first since Madison’s Jeff Foster was drafted out of Texas State by Golden State in 1999. Cole’s Shaquille O’Neal was the first pick in the 1992 draft by Orlando.